Abstract: A switched reluctance motor driven by a two-phase source, includes a stator having an even number of evenly-spaced, like stator poles defining a gap between each stator pole; windings for each of the two phases of the motor wound about stator poles that are circumferentially separated by a winding and an associated stator pole of a different phase; and a rotor mounted for rotation relative to the stator, the rotor having an even number of rotor poles, the rotor poles being dimensioned such that when the phases are alternately energized, the rotor poles operatively interact with the stator poles such that the motor advances sequentially to a first state wherein one-third of the rotor poles are magnetically coupled to a like number of the stator poles, to a second state wherein two-thirds of the rotor poles are magnetically coupled to a like number of stator poles and to a third state wherein all of the rotor poles are magnetically coupled to a like number of stator poles.

Abstract: A method of treating a copper current collector (copper mesh and/or copper foil) for use in Li-ion and/or Li-ion polymer batteries, comprising the steps of: positioning a copper current collector within an electrolytic solution adjacent an anode plate, the electrolytic solution comprised of about 2 to about 25 grams/liter of Cu.sup.+2, and about 30 to about 100 grams/liter of H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 ; energizing the system to have a predetermined current density; maintaining the current density of the system for about 0.5 to about 3.0 minutes; and removing the copper current collector from the electrolyte solution and rinsing the same.

Abstract: A switched reluctance machine includes a first element having a plurality of uniform poles and a second element having a first pole and a second pole. The first pole has a wide face and the second pole has a narrow pole face. The first and second elements are disposed for movement relative to each other such that the wide and narrow poles are moveable in spaced relation to the plurality of uniform poles.

Abstract: A transient voltage surge suppression system incorporating a current protection device comprised of a voltage sensitive and a thermal sensitive device. The voltage sensitive device has a predetermined voltage rating and increases in temperature as voltage applied thereto exceeds its voltage rating. The thermal sensitive device is responsive to heating of the voltage sensitive device to break an electrical current path if an overvoltage condition sensed by the voltage sensitive device exceeds the voltage rating of the voltage sensitive device.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel hot fill plastic container with reinforced bands above and below the vacuum panels to prevent panelling (or crease formation under vacuum after cooling) in the label supporting band area. The container has a substantially cylindrical recessed label supporting portion with multiple circumferentially spaced apart vacuum panels. Each panel includes a flat radially recessed central panel face which collapses radially inwardly under vacuum to reduce the volume of the container during cooling of the contents. A like multiple number of elongate posts are defined between the panels and generally reinforce the panel area, however, the top and bottom ends of the posts must be supported or else creases will form in these areas under vacuum. Accordingly, the invention provides for top and bottom cylindrical bands defining the axial upper and lower extent of the panels and posts.

Abstract: A switched reluctance motor having a stator with a plurality of radially oriented stator poles. Windings for three phases are wound about the stator poles wherein a stator pole of a first phase is disposed circumferentially between a winding and an associated stator pole of a second phase and a winding and an associated stator pole of a third phase. A rotor is mounted for rotation relative to the stator. The rotor has a wide rotor pole and a narrow rotor pole. The rotor poles are distributed on the rotor wherein a narrow rotor pole is disposed to each side of a wide rotor pole in a direction of rotation.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel preheating apparatus and method for preheating a ferrous scrap mixture prior to feeding the scrap into a metallurgical furnace, primarily using heat recovered from hot waste gases emitted from the furnace exhaust port, and simultaneously reducing contaminants from the scrap and from the waste gases, with concurrent downward flow of hot waste gases and downwardly descending scrap. The apparatus has a chamber, including a top compartment with a cold scrap input for depositing cold scrap into the top compartment and a hot waste gas inlet in flow communication with the furnace exhaust port. The chamber also has a bottom compartment with a heated scrap discharging mechanism for force delivering the heated scrap into the furnace and a waste gas outlet in flow communication with a vacuum exhaust for evacuating spent waste gas.

Abstract: A method for heating a medium in a heating apparatus comprising establishing a setpoint temperature for the medium, determining thermal characteristics of the heating apparatus and the medium during a first mode of operation, the thermal characteristics establishing an idle-on pulse duration for raising the temperature of the medium a first amount, generating at a move-to-idle temperature a move-to-idle pulse of heat having a move-to-idle pulse duration, the move-to-idle pulse duration being sufficient to raise the temperature of the medium to a temperature above the setpoint temperature, wherein the move-to-idle pulse duration is derived from the idle-on pulse duration and the deviation between the setpoint temperature and the move-to-idle temperature.

Abstract: A method of applying a refractory castable onto a surface of a refractory structure, comprising the steps of: [a)] preparing a thoroughly mixed wet castable for application onto a surface of a refractory structure; [b)] conveying the wet-mixed refractory castable at a set rate under pressure through a delivery hose having a predetermined cross-sectional area to a dispensing device having an air inlet and a dispensing nozzle; [c)] introducing air under pressure into the dispensing device, wherein the air pressure ranges from about 20 psi to about 80 psi and wherein the air has a velocity of about 177 ft/sec at 20 psi and an air velocity of about 484 ft/sec at 80 psi and wherein the velocity increases by about 5 ft/sec for every unit increase in the pressure.

Abstract: A process for applying a refractory castable onto a surface, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing metered amounts of a clay-free, dry refractory castable into a delivery hose, the dry refractory castable having an alumina content of about 40-95%; (b) conveying the dry refractory to a dispensing assembly under pneumatic pressure; (c) introducing water and a set modifying admixture into the dry refractory prior to dispensing the refractory castable from the dispensing assembly; and (d) spraying the hydraulic refractory castable onto a surface.

Abstract: An additive for reducing the calcium aluminate cement content in a refractory mix containing calcium aluminate cement. The additive is comprised of about 80% by weight amorphous, powdered metakaolin, the metakaolin having a mean particle size of less than about 3.0 microns, and about 20% by weight microsilica, the microsilica having a mean particle size of less than 45 microns.

Abstract: The invention provides a quickly installed and preferably reusable flashing unit for use in roofing or cladding of a building. The flashing is constructed of stainless steel sheet metal for superior corrosion resistance and to withstand rough handling as old roofing material is scraped off the flashing surfaces to prepare it for reuse. The flashing is assembled along joints between assembled flashing components. Each joint includes a resilient gasket between opposing edges of adjacent flashing components. Clips join the components together and resiliently compress the gasket between opposing edges of the adjacent components. After assembly around stacks, openings, edges or other roofing discontinuities, the flashing is incorporated into the roofing in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A switched reluctance motor, comprising:a stator formed from a magnetically permeable material, having "n" number of evenly spaced, radially oriented, like stator poles, the stator poles having like stator pole faces and forming a uniform gap between adjacent stator poles;windings for two phases wound about stator poles that are circumferentially separated by a winding and an associated stator pole of a different phase;a rotor mounted for rotation relative to the stator about an axis, the rotor having at least two rotor sections, a first of the at least two rotor sections including at least 1/4 "n" number of like, wide rotor poles, each having a like, wide rotor pole face, and a second of the at least two rotor sections including at least 1/4 "n" number of like, narrow rotor poles, each having a like, narrow rotor pole face, the rotor having:a first angular position wherein a first portion of the wide rotor pole faces of the first rotor section are in alignment with a first pair of opposite, energized stator

Abstract: A method of applying a cement-free refractory castable to the surface of a refractory structure, comprising the steps of:a) preparing an intimately mixed refractory castable having alumina aggregate and a cement-free binder comprised of hydratable alumina;b) conveying the refractory castable under pressure through a delivery hose to a dispensing nozzle for applying the refractory castable; and,c) adding a salt solution to the refractory castable prior to application by the nozzle at a rate wherein the salt solution comprises about 0.2% to 0.9% by weight of the refractory castable applied by the dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: A method for determining the resistance of a shunt for use with a current limiting device that exhibits PTC characteristics to protect an electrical circuit. The method comprises steps for determining maximum and minimum resistance values based on operating criteria and component characteristics and selecting resistance values that fall within selected ranges.

Abstract: A method of calcining kaolin, comprising the steps of:a) producing a clay slurry comprised of water and kaolin clay of a specific particle size;b) mixing a water insoluble potassium containing glass forming compound into the clay slurry in an amount wherein the potassium content of the slurry is equal to about 1% by weight of the kaolin clay in the slurry;c) removing sufficient water from the slurry to form a material having an extrudable consistency;d) extruding the material into elongated shapes;e) heating the shapes by continuously moving them through a furnace having a zone, wherein the material is exposed to temperatures of at least 2700.degree. C. for at least 30 minutes.

Abstract: A method of applying a refractory castable material to the surface of a structure comprising the steps of thoroughly mixing a refractory castable material comprised primarily of aggregate and a cementitious binder; conveying the refractory material under pressure through a delivery hose to a dispensing nozzle; and adding hydrated lime to the refractory castable material prior to application by the nozzle.

Abstract: A vehicle and method for storing ozone is disclosed. A vehicle made of a water miscible, organic compound of a glycol-containing chemical compound, a tertiary alcohol or a mixture thereof that is capable of receiving and containing ozone is disclosed. The method involves producing ozone gas, introducing the ozone-containing gas into a mixing vessel that contains the aforementioned organic compound, agitating the organic compound in the presence of the ozone-containing gas, wherein the ozone-containing gas is at atmospheric pressure or at a pressure of up to about 150 psig., and releasing the pressure if pressures in excess of atmospheric are used.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell comprised of a tank for holding electrolytic solution, and a drum rotatable about a horizontal axis having a non-conductive cylindrical outer surface disposed within the tank, and a plurality of elongated, like anodes arranged about the outer surface of the drum. The anodes together form a generally continuous cylindrical surface spaced from, and generally conforming to, the outer surface of the drum. Each of the anodes has at least one end projecting through the tank. A plurality of power sources is provided together with connection means for connecting groups of one or more of the projecting ends of the anodes to each power source.

Abstract: A controller for controlling the cooking of food within a cooking apparatus. The controller is comprised of a temperature sensor input for receiving an output of a temperature sensor and a system for initiating a cook of a food product based upon a set cook temperature and a set cook time. Plural indications of incremental energy that is absorbed by the food product during the cook are determined, wherein each of the plural indications of incremental energy is based upon a difference between a temperature determined at the temperature sensor input and a desired internal temperature of the food product. The end of the cook is established when the total of the plural indications of incremental energy is one of equal to and greater than an ideal energy to prepare the food product based upon the set cook time and the cook temperature.